Two suspected cases of Nipah virus infection in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD, MAY 25,
Two suspected cases of Nipah infection have been isolated in Hyderabad’s public hospitals. According to State health officials, the two individuals, men in their mid-20s, were isolated after they exhibited symptoms associated with Nipah virus.
Dr. Ramesh Reddy, Director of Medical Education, said one of the two, an IT professional, recently visited Kerala and developed respiratory illness without encephalitis.
In the second case, the patient isolated at NIMS hospital showed symptoms of encephalitis but had no history of travel to Kerala.
Dr. Reddy said blood samples from both individuals were sent to National Institute of Virology, Pune, for testing. Isolation wards have been readied in public hospitals and the State was prepared if an outbreak occured.
“We do not want to take any chances. Blood samples and throat swabs of both the patients have been sent to NIV-Pune for Nipah virus infection test. We also asked them to test for swine flu. We expect the result to come this evening or tomorrow,” Mr. Reddy told PTI on Friday.
In Kerala
In Kerala, the Nipah virus has so far claimed 11 lives and the State government has stepped up efforts to contain the outbreak. According to a Union Health Ministry advisory, the Nipah virus, which commonly affects animals such as bats, pigs, dogs, and horses, can spread to humans and cause serious illness among humans. Spread of the virus to humans may occur after close contact with other Nipah-infected people, infected bats, or infected pigs.